Training bullet for fire arms

ABSTRACT

Training bullet or cartridge provided with a projectile having an envelope or casing with at least one thin rupturable zone, there being an inert powder mass within the envelope which is released upon the breaking of the envelope when the projectile is subjected to a rather small impact. When the projectile thus breaks up the fragments thereof have a rather small striking range.

Unite States atent [1 1 Castera et al.

[ Aug. 12, 1975 TRAINING BULLET FOR FIRE ARMS Inventors: Andre Castera,Creuzier-le-Vieux;

Pierre Lucaire, Vichy, both of France Manufacture de Machines duHaut-Rhin S.A., Mulhouse-Cedex, France Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 Appl. No.:343,249

Assignee:

US. Cl 102/92.7; 102/41 Int. Cl. F42B 11/18 Field of Search 102/41,92.7, 1 M

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Foisy 102/92.7

2,995,090 8/1961 Daubenspeck l. lO2/92.7 3,170,405 2/1965 Jungermann eta1. 1 102/41 X 3,236,183 2/1966 Littleford i l 102/87 3,435,769 4/1969Germershausen 102/92.7 3,570,406 5/1971 Frey l02/92.7

Primary ExaminerRobert F. Stahl 5 7 ABSTRACT 9 Claims, 5 Drawing FiguresTRATNING BULLET FOR FHRIE S The present invention relates to trainingprojectiles for fire arms.

Rifle practice for soldiers usually takes place in shooting galleries,or in rifle ranges which for security reasons are of a size commensuratewith the maximum range of the type of fire arms being used. If the shotsare made at a certain angle which does not result in the maximum rangeof the bullets, there still remains the possibility of ricochets wherebythe bullets or at least parts of them may travel distances approximatingthe normal maximum range of the bullets. Thus, the ordinary rifle rangeor shotting field is necessarily of very large dimensions. On the otherhand certain types of fire arms, having bullets capable of travellinglong distances, cannot be used on fields and ranges which are too small.

It is, however, imperative if the goal of training is going to beachieved that the projectiles employed in training shall havecharacteristics as close as possible to those of real or battleamunition, such characteristics including ballistic properties, sincethese condition the aiming reflexes of the soldier in training and theeventual correction of his aim. The projectiles employed in trainingalso vitally effect the functioning and servicing of the fire arm, whichare also a part of the basic instruction of the trainee.

There have already been proposed lighter projectiles which are morerapidly slowed down in their projectory than are the real or battleprojectiles which they resemble in their general exterior shape. Suchlatter projectiles, however, require modification of the rifle in whichthey are to used in order to assure the satisfactory operation of therifle.

It has also been proposed to employ projectiles which have flatter nosesthan those of the corresponding real or battle projectiles. Such lattertraining projectiles, however, have the disadvantage of possessingballistic characteristics which are markedly different from those of thereal projectile.

The present invention has among its objects the provision of a trainingprojectile which solves the two problems outlined above, that is, whichprovides a training projectile with characteristics identical with thoseof the real battle projectile, but which can nevertheless be used inrifle ranges or shooting fields of smaller dimensions than the maximumrange of the rifle or fire arm in which the bullets are to be used.

More precisely, the invention provides a training projectile which ischaracterized by a combination of an envelope having at least onethinned zone at which the projectile breaks, the envelope being filledwith an inert powder composition, so that when the projectile issubjected to even a small impact it is broken into fragments which haveonly small ranges of travel.

With a projectile of such characteristics, one can readily understandthat with an enevelope or casing having an external shape identical withthat ofa real or battle projectile, and with the judicious Choice of thedensity of the inert powder composition which fills the envelope, onecan obtain a projectile having characteristics (shape, weight,ballistic) identical to those of the battle projectile which itsimulates. On the other hand, the faculty given to the casing to breakunder even small impacts and the nature of the finely divided content ofthe casing guarantee the disintegration of the projectile at impactswith targets and other solid objects which are even slanted, therebyeliminating all possibilities of recochets. The small mass of weight ofthe fragments of the projectile after impact, as well as their shapeswhich prevent them from travelling in ballistically correct paths,assures that such fragments will travel over short distances. As aresult the range of the projectile is less, for a predetermined desiredangle of fire, than the maximum range of the real projectile.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the inert powdercomposition is held together in the envelope by a binder consisting, forexample, of a polymerizable product, thereby giving the projectile, ifnecessary, an improved rigidity. With such construction, however, theprojectile is unable to withstand disintegration when subjected to alarge oblique shock impact.

The invention will be more readily understood by consideration of thefollowing description and of the drawings to which the descriptionrefers:

FIG. 1 is a view partially in side elevation and partially inlongitudinal section of a training cartridge equipped with a firstembodiment of projectile made in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section through the projectile of theembodiment of cartridge shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 are views similar to FIG. 2 of three further embodimentsof the projectile.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the reference character 10 designates generally abullet or cartridge in accordance with the invention, such cartridgebeing adapted for use in a portable fire arm such as a rifle, pistol, ormachine gun. The cartridge 10 has a conventional casing 14 filled with apropulsive explosive powder 12, the casing 14 having a base 16 in thecenter of which there is affixed a percussion device or explosive cap18. The forward end of the casing 14 is necked down at 20, there beingmounted in the necked portion a projectile or bullet 22 which is mountedin the usual fashion in the forward end of the casing.

In accordance with the invention projectile 22 is a training projectilehaving characteristics (form, weight, ballistics) identical to those ofa real or battle projectile with which the cartridge 10 would benormally provided, the projectile 22 having a fragility such that itbreaks into fragments of small mass and size and, because of that, of ashort range, even during an impact at a slanted angle with the target orthe like and even at a reduced speed.

A first embodiment of the projectile 22 is shown in fi FlG. 2. In thisembodiment, the projectile 22 is composed essentially of a heavymaterial which is inert and finely divided such as a metal powder 24which fills a metallic envelope or casing 26 having an external formsimilar to that of the real or combat projectile which it simulates. Theenvelope 22 has an intermediate circular cylindrical portion 28, aforward gently rounded converging portion 30, and a base 32, theenvelope being capable of breaking easily under impact even at a reducedspeed. The density of the powdered metal composition 24 is determined bythe addition of desired additives in such manner that the mass or weightof the training projectile 22 is equal to or at least very close to theweight of the real or combat projectile.

The powdered metal composition 24 may be introduced into the envelope 26through an opening 34 provided in the base 32 of the casing, thepowdered composition being compacted one or a number of times directlyin the cavity 36 defined by the forward portion of the envelope. In theembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the powder is disposed intwo blocks 38 and 40, the first block being disposed within the noseportion 26 of the projectile, such disposition of the metal powederfacilitating the fragmentation of the projectile 22 under impact.Preferably on both sides of the central part 28 of the casing there areannular thinned zones 28' of low strength, the front part 30 and thebase 32 of the casing being so structured that the casing breaks easilyunder impact.

The metal powder composition 24 may be introduced through the initiallyrearwardly open base 32 of the projectile, thereafter there beingintroduced into such rear end of the casing a cup-like member 42, afterwhich the base of the casing is suaged down and bent over to retain themember 42 therewithin in the manner shown. In a further embodiment ofthe projectile, not illustrated, the powdered metallic composition 24may be compacted and agglomerated by means of a binder such as asuitable polymerizable material so as to give the projectile, ifnecessary, a better rigidity but insufficient strength to withstandappreciable oblique shock.

The projectile shown in FIG. 3, designated by the reference character22', has a cavity 32 in the envelope 26 which is provided with a smallmass of a pyrotechnic composition 44 which is sensitive to mechanicalshock and is thus exploded at impact. This improves the faculty ofdisintegration of the projectile 22 and also serves, when thecomposition is such as to produce light upon explosion, to mark thelocation of impact of the projectile. The parts of the projectile ofFIG. 3 are the same as those in FIG. 2, and are designated by the samereference characters as in the former figure.

In the embodiment of projectile shown in FIG. 4, wherein it isdesignated 22, the mass of the metallic composition 24 has a cavity 46which communicates with the opening 34 at the rear end of theprojectile. An illuminating pyrotechnic composition 48, which serves totrace the projectile, is disposed in the cavity 46. A terminal annularelement 42 is provided, such element having a central opening 50 thediameter of which determines the duration of the trace provided by theburning of the composition 48.

In the embodiment of projectile shown in FIG. 5, wherein the projectileis designated generally by the reference character 22", the rear blockof powdered metal is ring-shaped and is formed by being compacted in amold so as to form a homogeneous block. A pyrotechnical composition 44is first introduced into the nose of the projectile, and following thisthere is introduced the powdered metal composition 24 of the block 38. Arigid disc 52 may be disposed in block 40 to define the bottom of thecavity 46 therein and to reduce to some extent the central part 28 ofthe casing. Following the introduction of the powdered metal 24 in thecasing, the thus-formed block 40 with the disc 52 therein is introducedinto the rear end of the projectile casing. The pyrotechnical tracerpowder composition 48 may be then introduced within the cavity 46 in theblock 40, 52. The rear end of the projectile casing is closed, asbefore, by an annular member 42, the annular member and the rear end ofthe casing having openings 50 and 34, respectively, therethrough, thediameter of such openings determining the duration and length of thetrace provided by the burning of the cornposition 48.

It will be understood that in making the various embodiments of theprojectiles above-described, the composition of the metallic powder 28and/or the compacting of this composition may be varied in order tomodify to a large degree the resistivity of the projectile and itsmechanical strength under the shock of mechanical impact.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to aplurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be expresslyunderstood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such aplurality of embodiments, but is capable of numerous modificationswithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A training projectile for a firearm having a main body portion and anose, comprising a metallic casing in one piece made of the samematerial and in the same form as the casing of the combat projectile,for such firearm, said training projectile casing having at least oneannular thinned zone means which permits said casing to break intofragments upon impact with a target, and a mass of an inert compositionin flowing powder form in the casing, the projectile being fracturedinto fragments having a relatively short range trajectory.

2. A training projectile according to claim 1, wherein the casing has anopening in its back part for the introduction of the inert compositionin flowing powder form.

3. A training projectile according to claim 2, comprising a ring-shapedelement in the rear end of the casing to determine the size of theopening in the latter.

4. A training projectile according to claim 2, comprising anilluminating pyrotechnical composition ar ranged in a cavity in the massof the inert composition so as to discharge through the opening in thecasing.

5. A training projectile according to claim 1, comprising a small massof a pyrotechnical composition sensitive to mechanical shocks arrangedin the nose of the casing.

6. A training projectile according to claim 1, wherein inert powdercomposition is agglomerated in the casing by a binder.

7. A training projectile according to claim 6, wherein the binder iscomposed of a polymerized product.

8. A training projectile according to claim 1, wherein there are twoannular thinned zones means one of which is located in the nose of theprojectile.

9. A training projectile according to claim 8, wherein the casing is anintegral piece of metal, and the nose has a uniform wall thickness.

1. A TRAINING PROJECTILE FOR A FIREARM HAVING A MAIN BODY PORTION AND ANOSE, COMPRISING A METALLIC CASING IN ONE PIECE MADE OF THE SAMEMATERIAL AND IN THE SAME FORM AS THE CASING OF THE COMBAT PROJECTILE,FOR SUCH FIREARM, SAID TRAINING PROJECTILE CASING HAVING AT LEAST ONEANNULAR THINNED ZONE MEANS WHICH PERMITS SAID CASING TO BREAK INTOFRAGMENTS UPON IMPACT WITH A TARGET, AND A MASS OF AN INERT COMPOSITIONIN FLOWING POWDER FORM IN THE CASING, THE PROJECTILE BEING FRACTUREDINTO FRAGMENTS HAVING A RELATIVELY SHORT RANGE TRAJECTORY.
 2. A trainingprojectile according to claim 1, wherein the casing has an opening inits back part for the introduction of the inert composition in flowingpowder form.
 3. A training projectile according to claim 2, comprising aring-shaped element in the rear end of the casing to determine the sizeof the opening in the latter.
 4. A training projectile according toclaim 2, comprising an illuminating pyrotechnical composition arrangedin a cavity in the mass of the inert composition so as to dischargethrough the opening in the casing.
 5. A training projectile according toclaim 1, comprising a small mass of a pyrotechnical compositionsensitive to mechanical shocks arranged in the nose of the casing.
 6. Atraining projectile according to claim 1, wherein inert powdercomposition is agglomerated in the casing by a binder.
 7. A trainingprojectile according to claim 6, wherein the binder is composed of apolymerized product.
 8. A training projectile according to claim 1,wherein there are two annular thinned zones means one of which islocated in the nose of the projectile.
 9. A training projectileaccording to claim 8, wherein the casing is an integral piece of metal,and the nose has a uniform wall thickness.